Round 5 NSW Cup Match Report

Round 5 saw the Magpies notch their fourth win of the season with a hard fought 2 point victory over the visiting Wyong Roos.

With Chris Sandow holding his spot in first grade, coach Brett Cook needed the likes of Luke Kelly to step up if the Magpies were to bounce back from their first loss of the season last weekend and that’s exactly what the no.7 did, slotting a goal after the full time siren to hand Wenty a 24-22 win.

With both sides locked up at 22 apiece, the match seemed destined to end in a draw however referee Liam Nicholls found a Roos infringement some 30 metres out and right in front of the uprights; and despite not having much goal kicking experience, Kelly calmly converted.

At times throughout the game, Wenty appeared to be cruising towards the two competition points when they shot out of the block in wet conditions to lead it 18-0 after tries to Toutai, Kelly and Faraimo, but just as quick as the Magpies started, Wyong hit back with back-to-back converted tries of their own to O’Meley and Nicholls and an 18-12 score line saw both teams hit the sheds for half time.

The rain continued to belt down throughout the second half and both sides settled into a grind for what was to be a tight encounter.

Wyong struck first in the second half when Vailea stormed onto a neat pass from Mitch Williams close to the line. An unsuccessful conversion saw the Magpies hold onto a slender two point lead.

It took until the 58th minute for the home side to hit back with a try of their own when Faraimo bagged his second following a smart offload from Pewhairangi close to the line.

In front by six, Wenty were defending for their lives but the pressure tolled and with a little over 10 minutes remaining, the Roos set up a grandstand finish when Nicholls scored his second of the day after he won the race to the ball and grounded it just inside the dead ball line.

Locked at 22-22, the Roos were unlucky not to have a penalty for a high shot and then a failed drop goal attempt also saw their chances of snatching a victory fade.

With a draw a fair result in the eyes of many, Wenty marched up the park one last time and ultimately, were awarded the match winning penalty.

Nicholls and Williams were standouts for the Roos and for the home team it was good to see Kelly direct his team around the park. Cummins was also impressive at the back.

The Magpies visit Henson Park this Saturday to face the winless Jets while the Roos head to North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon for their second meeting of the year with the Bears.